The Tokyo Olympics is a family affair for Maroochydore’s Alyce Wood.
The 28-year-old and her husband and fellow kayaker Jordan Wood are set to compete their second straight Games, while her coach is mother-in-law Anna Wood.
She was grateful to have them alongside her in Japan.
“It’s pretty bizarre but it’s also pretty special,” she said, ahead of her heats on Monday.
“Not many families get to travel anywhere because of restrictions, so I’m lucky to have them at Tokyo with me.
“But the whole Australian team is like a big family anyway, so it will be pretty special for everyone.”
Wood is ready to compete in the K1 500, and she will link with fellow Sunshine Coaster Alyssa Bull in the K2 500.
She hasn’t raced on the international scene for almost two years, due to COVID-19, but that could be a blessing in disguise.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to the start line and finally having a race,” she said.
“Having two years out of competition, we don’t really know where we’re at.
“That could be a blessing or a curse.”
Wood has taken a positive outlook.
“We’re going in there with no pressure,” she said.
“It’s kind of a good thing, because there’s no real preconceived ideas as to how people will go.
“We can only do what we do best, which is paddle, so we’ll put our best foot forward and hopefully the starts align.”
Wood and Bull finished eighth in Brazil after they somewhat surprisingly earned berths at the 2016 Games.
They were a relatively inexperienced duo then, but they have spent the past four years training and competing together, mostly in Australia.
“We’re really happy with where we’re at and we’ve definitely taken some massive steps forward since Rio,” she said.
“We can take a lot from that. The K2 now feels like home, and we love racing together, so we’re confident.
“Bully and I are definitely pushing somewhere towards the podium, but I think the hardest race will be the semi-final.
“It always is, but once you’re in that final anything can happen.”
Wood has emerged as a genuine force in the K1 within Australia in recent times.
“I’m happy with how that’s been progressing and if I reflect over the last four years, every year I’ve been getting better and better so hopefully that transfers over to Tokyo,” she said.
“I hope I’m in that final and I’m good enough to mix it with everyone in that final.”
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Wood, who has a surf lifesaving background, was astounded to be a two-time Olympian.
“As a little kid, if I was told I’d go to two Olympics, I probably would have laughed,” she said.
“Once an Olympian, always an Olympian, but to be able to do it twice is pretty special and that probably won’t sink in for a very long time.
“People say you don’t really realise what you’ve done until a long time after retirement.”
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The Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club member started kayaking as a 15-year-old, to help her surf ski paddling, before taking it more seriously after going to high school at Immanuel Lutheran College.
“I wanted to give it a red-hot crack then,” she said.
“I’ve now been on the (national) team for a decade or so and it’s blown by quickly.
“But I’m definitely happy I made the decision to kayak.”
Alyce Wood’s schedule
- Monday, August 2: Women’s K2 500m heats, from 12.08pm.
- Tuesday, August 3: Women’s K2 500m semi-final, from 11.23pm.
- Tuesday, August 3: Women’s K2 500m final, from 1.39pm.
- Wednesday, August 4: Women’s K1 500m heats, from 11.40pm.
- Wednesday, August 4: Women’s K1 500m quarter finals, from 1.50pm.
- Thursday, August 5, Women’s K1 500m, semi-finals from 10.58am.
- Thursday, August 5, Women’s K1 500m final, from 1.15pm.
